Straight from Sally: February 4, 2025

Turner’s Reintroduced Legislation to Keep At-Risk Veteran Homes Affordable Passes Senate Committee

12925_MP_7790.jpg

Legislation to protect affordable housing for at-risk veterans has taken an important step forward as State Senator Sally Turner’s Senate Bill 39 has passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 39 reintroduces legislation from the previous General Assembly that aimed to exempt tiny homes for at-risk veterans from burdensome red tape. While the bill unanimously passed the Senate last year, it was not called for a vote in the House.

Senator Turner says that our nation’s veterans deserve more than just gratitude, but real support. She also thanked the Central Illinois Veterans Commission for their incredible work to provide homes for those who served our country.

The legislation ensures that the EV charging provisions of the 2023 Electric Vehicle Charging Act do not apply to tiny homes designated for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, provided these homes are funded and built by qualified nonprofit organizations.

Marsha Fernandes, Chairman of the Central Illinois Veterans Commission, testified in support of the bill, highlighting the challenges the organization faced under the existing law.

“The late Joe Schaler, who was instrumental in our mission, fought tirelessly to ensure homeless veterans had a place to call home,” said Fernandes. “This bill continues his work, removing an unnecessary roadblock and allowing us to focus on what truly matters – providing safe, affordable housing for those who have served our country.”

With its passage out of committee, Senate Bill 39 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

New Legislation Would Require Law Enforcement in IL to Coordinate with ICE

With public safety a top priority, Illinois Senate Republicans unveiled new legislation during the week that would close critical gaps in state immigration policies, which currently allow undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes to remain in Illinois. 

Senate Bill 1313, sponsored by Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia), requires state law enforcement to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify, report, and deport undocumented individuals who commit serious offenses—such as violent crimes, drug offenses, and sex crimes—ensuring their removal from Illinois to enhance public safety.

Republicans say the legislation exposes a glaring contradiction in Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stance on public safety. Despite his public claim that “violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported,” the TRUST Act he supports ties the hands of law enforcement, preventing them from working with federal authorities to deport most offenders. Republicans argue this hypocrisy endangers public safety and leaves Illinois families vulnerable to dangerous repeat offenders.

Senate Republicans are also pushing to repeal the TRUST Act, which restricts state and local police from cooperating with federal immigration officials except under narrow circumstances, like when a federal warrant is issued.

State Senator Sally Turner says that by removing these restrictions and enhancing coordination with ICE, Republicans believe law enforcement will be better equipped to remove undocumented felons and improve public safety.

Senate Republicans urge Governor JB Pritzker and Democrat lawmakers to support these measures to prevent violent criminals from staying in Illinois.

Ending The Silence: New Legislation Seeks to Address Sexual Assault in Schools

Classroom

Legislation aimed at holding students accountable for committing sexual assault in schools has been filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield).

Senate Bill 98 mandates that any student found guilty of sexual assault, sexual violence, or engaging in sexual activity without consent at a school or school-affiliated event be expelled for at least one year.

The bill was introduced following an incident in the Taylorville school district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted, and the attacker was only moved to an alternative school after the victim’s mother pursued legal action. The proposed legislation seeks to protect victims and ensure offenders face appropriate consequences while also offering a path for rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.

Under the bill’s provisions, students found guilty of sexual assault or violence at school or related events will face a minimum one-year expulsion. This mirrors existing expulsion policies for weapons violations, ensuring a consistent and firm response to serious misconduct.

The legislation underscores the need for safe learning environments and accountability for offenders. It addresses gaps in current policies by establishing clearer consequences for sexual assault and ensuring schools take appropriate action to protect students.

The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) has endorsed the bill, highlighting its potential to improve how schools handle sexual assault, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Illinois Nears the Bottom in National Education Freedom Rankings

A recently released report ranks Illinois as 38th in the nation for education freedom. The 2025 Index of State Education Freedom by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), gives the state a “D” grade, due in part to the end of the Invest in Kids program, which provided scholarships for low-income students. Illinois did receive an “A” for its supportive homeschooling environment.

The index evaluates states on school choice, charter schools, homeschooling, virtual schooling, and financing programs that allow funding to follow students. Top-ranking states include Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas, while New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon ranked lowest. 

State Senator Sally Turner believes that Illinois desperately needs to launch a new program similar to “Invest in Kids,” to help students in failing schools by offering them a choice to attend another school where they can succeed and thrive.

Illinois Struggles with High Unemployment and Lagging Job Growth

HelpWatned

Illinois’ job market remains sluggish, with an unemployment rate of 5.2% in December, the third highest in the nation. Approximately 340,000 residents were actively seeking work, outpacing only California and Nevada in unemployment. The national rate was 4.1%.

In 2024, Illinois added 56,000 jobs, but its growth rate of 0.92% lagged behind the national average of 1.42%. The state saw gains in government jobs and private education and health services, but key sectors such as manufacturing and finance experienced declines.

Illinois’ post-pandemic recovery remains weak, ranking 46th in the nation with only a 0.25% increase in jobs since January 2020. High taxes, a burdensome business environment, and rising housing costs are contributing to the state’s sluggish economic performance.

State Senator Sally Turner believes the key to reversing Illinois’ sluggish job market lies in comprehensive tax reform and fiscal responsibility, emphasizing the need to lower taxes, simplify regulations, and address the state’s budget and pension issues. By providing real relief to businesses and working families, Illinois can foster job growth, attract skilled workers, and restore economic vitality.

Turner relaunches Valentines for Seniors

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, State Senator Sally Turner is once again launching her “Valentines for Seniors” card drive to help uplift the spirits of long-term care and assisted-living facility residents.

Senator Turner is encouraging churches, schools, and community members of the 44th Senate District to write Valentine’s Day cards that can be dropped off or mailed to her district office in Lincoln. Once all the cards have been collected, they will be delivered to the various long-term care facilities that make up the district.

Cards can be dropped off from now until February 7th at Senator Turner’s district office, which is located at 120 S. McLean St, Suite E, Lincoln, IL 62656.

Turner Valentines Flyer 2025.jpg
Sally Turner

Want to stay up to date with your Senator?

Sign up for the District E-Newsletter below:

[wpnbf-signup]